A special family tradition has commenced at the Brisbane Lions with a prominent number set to be carried on for a second generation.
Exciting father-son draftee Levi Ashcroft will inherit the number 10 guernsey worn by his dad and club legend, Marcus.
After seeing his father become a triple premiership player with the Lions, Levi said his dream was to wear the same number as his ‘idol’.
While appreciating the honour of wearing his father’s number, Levi spoke of also making the number his own and being his own player.
“It’s very special for me and for Dad, who obviously did so much in his career and for the Lions with number 10 on his back,” Levi said.
“He played in three premierships and played 318 games, so a very long career in that number and hopefully I can do half as good as he did.
“I definitely always wanted to wear number 10 for a long time as I played a lot of my junior footy in number 10 off what dad did in that number.
“It’s going to be really amazing to be able to wear that number out on the Gabba and other grounds around Australia.”
Even before having the opportunity to make his debut for the Lions, the young midfielder said his father’s legacy was having an impact on him.
Taking on the number 10 locker also has Levi positioned in an extra special position in the changeroom.
Directly beside him is one of the best mentors he could ask for in two-time Brownlow Medallist and premiership captain Lachie Neale.
Move one locker further along and he finds a Norm Smith Medallist and premiership Lion who happens to be none other than his brother Will.
“It’s a driving factor for me when I see dad’s name on the locker,” Levi said.
“Every time I go to open it, I see what he achieved and all the things he did for this club.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to be near Will and experience my first moments in an AFL environment with him which is pretty special.
“Poor old Lachie is in a bit of an ‘Ashcroft sandwich’ at the moment.”
In a special moment for the club and the Ashcroft family, Marcus joined Levi at Brighton Homes Arena this week to handover the number.
The triple premiership Lion also highlighted the honour of pulling on the maroon, blue and gold guernsey of the number.
“I am incredibly proud to see Levi come in and wear the number and forever grateful because I wore it for such a long period of time,” Marcus said.
“But for me it is the jumper (that is more important), and you’ve got 40 plus other teammates that you are playing alongside.
“I know Levi coming in he will do his very best, but I know he will also make his teammates better.
“As a parent that’s what I am going to be most proud of is him coming in and playing for his team and doing what is required.”
There is no hiding what Marcus achieved while wearing the number 10 guernsey, though he said he passes on the baton with no expectations.
Instead, the father of two of the Lions most exciting young talents will watch from the wings as they forge their own careers for the club.
“We are really fortunate and lucky as parents to have both our boys at a great club with great role models which we are very grateful for
“Since Will stepped through the doors here at the Lions I was always conscious of being out of the way and wanting him to do his own and it is similar for Levi.
“He is a young man with aspirations that knows what he wants to do so we just get out of the way and let him do his thing.”
The Brisbane Lions also confirmed several other new jumper numbers for the 2025 season.
Premiership Lion Jaspa Fletcher has traded his number 28 for the number three guernsey made vacant by the retired Joe Daniher.
While Fletcher’s previous number 28 guernsey will now be worn by young forward Will McLachlan, leaving number 42 free.
Luke Beecken has also changed his number 47 for 17 which was available following the retirement of midfielder Jarryd Lyons.
The club’s new draftees Sam Day (14), Sam Marshall (20) and Ty Gallop (22) have also received their first numbers as Brisbane Lions.
Fans now have the opportunity to get these numbers or the number on their favourite Lions player on the back of the club’s new 2025 AFL Premiers guernsey, which went on sale this week and can be purchased now by following the link to the Lions Shop.
NEW JUMPER NUMBERS
3. Jaspa Fletcher
10. Levi Ashcroft
14. Sam Day
17. Luke Beecken
20. Sam Marshall
22. Ty Gallop
28. Will McLachlan
